By Eddah Waithaka
The Democracy Trust Fund (DTF), women peace actors, and women leaders and aspirants from across Kenya, together with the Echo Network Africa Foundation (ENAF), have raised alarm over three critical developments shaping Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 General Elections.
In a joint press statement issued in Nairobi, the groups called for credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections and demanded urgent action on proposed electoral amendments, rising violence against women in politics, and unregulated campaign financing.
Electoral Amendments
The groups acknowledged the legislative process around the Elections (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 2024, which the National Assembly passed on 22 October 2026 and referred to the Senate under Article 110(4) of the Constitution.
As the Senate considers the changes, they urged Parliament and the Senate to safeguard fair political competition. They flagged the proposed removal of IEBC oversight from party primaries, saying political parties must enforce transparent, non-discriminatory complaint mechanisms. They also called for clear dispute resolution mandates between the IEBC and the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal to guarantee timely justice for underrepresented candidates.
The groups further demanded that access to voter registration and result livestreaming under Section 39 of the Elections Act remain intact to preserve public trust.
Violence Against Women and Youth
The groups firmly rejected the normalization of political violence, intimidation, and gender-based harassment. They cited 2022 electoral cycle data showing 3,746 documented cases of election-related sexual and gender-based violence, with verbal abuse and hate speech accounting for 54% of incidents and cyberbullying for 23%.
They highlighted recent reported incidents across Kenya: Dr. July Nyamso reportedly faced heckling, public humiliation, and physical attacks in Kisii County; Woman Representative aspirant Linda Ogweno reportedly faced attacks during a gathering in Nyamasaria, Kisumu County, on 20 October 2026; derogatory local-dialect rhetoric in Baringo and violent confrontations involving former Governor Hon. Kawira Mwangaza in Meru; and disrupted political gatherings, online harassment, and August 2026 violence involving aspirant Agneta Mwangale in Nairobi and Homa Bay.
The groups called on the National Police Service, IEBC, NCIC, and ODPP to establish proactive security measures, investigate cases rapidly, and strictly enforce applicable codes of conduct.
Campaign Financing
The groups expressed deep concern over the high cost of political campaigns in Kenya. They noted that although the IEBC gazetted the Election Campaign Financing Regulations, 2026, High Court conservatory orders continue to restrain implementation. They called on the IEBC, Parliament, and relevant judicial institutions to resolve outstanding legal issues swiftly to establish enforceable spending limits and lower financial barriers for women, youth, and marginalized candidates.
“Safeguarding women in politics is a shared national responsibility and a fundamental requirement for peaceful, credible, and inclusive elections in 2027,” the groups said.
The statement was issued jointly by DTF members, women peace actors, and women leaders from across Kenya, in partnership with the Democracy Trust Fund and Echo Network Africa Foundation.
